Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway Relocated Amid Outcry From Veterans
on Jul 21, 2026
“The Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway will forever stand as a tribute to the man who awakened a renewed love of country and respect for the Constitution in our young people,” wrote Tennessee State Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, on X, formerly Twitter, last month.
While it may stand forever, it won’t be standing where it currently is.
Only a month after being installed along a stretch of State Route 386 in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, the signs honoring Kirk are being relocated.
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Why The Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway Is Being Relocated, And Where It’s Headed
In June of 2026, signs honoring the late conservative Charlie Kirk — the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA who was assassinated last September — were installed on a highway in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Located within the Nashville Metropolitan Area, Goodlettsville tends to lean conservative, and that’s reflected in the move to have Kirk remembered there.
However, the location of the signage, which was installed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) after being approved by the state’s General Assembly, has become a point of contention.
State Route 386, where the signs honoring Kirk were placed, has historically been the Vietnam Veterans Boulevard.
Featuring 25 signs, each honoring Sumner County’s 25 citizens who were killed in the Vietnam War, the move to set aside part of the highway to honor Charlie kirk was described as “uncalled for” by Barry Rice, president of Vietnam Veterans of America’s Tennessee State Council.
Speaking with WKRN, Rice said that Vietnam veterans organizations in the community were not consulted about the change.
“I can’t speak for everyone, but I would venture a guess that all Vietnam veterans were saddened by the tragedy that happened to Charlie Kirk that should not happen in the United States of America, or anywhere,” Rice said.
Regardless, Rice added, “It’s just aggravating. It’s almost, ‘Once again, here we go again.’ You know, it happened when we came home … we were disliked.”
To remedy the situation, the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway is being moved to Long Hollow Pike in Goodlettsville.
Writing on Facebook on the matter, Sumner County Commissioner Jeremy Mansfield said:
“To every Vietnam veteran who spoke up, thank you. Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice. Your opinion on this mattered, and I was surprised to learn they were never consulted before the first sign went up.”
Mansfield added that the signage honoring Kirk will now be at “a place that honors Charlie Kirk without taking anything away from those we already promised to remember.”
When this change will be enacted is not yet clear, but TDOT told WSM4, “Regarding the placement or removal of the signage, TDOT will follow the direction provided by the General Assembly, which we have not yet received.”
Notably, Riley Gaines, who rose to prominence as a collegiate swimmer who challenged acceptance of transgender athletes in women’s sports, lives in Sumner County.
She had previously posted about the initial installation of the signs honoring Charlie Kirk, as can be seen here:
The highway in my hometown has officially been dedicated as the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway. I drive this stretch almost every day. Beautiful tribute that the entire North Nashville community will see for years to come.
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 17, 2026
Thank you to @JohnnyGarrett for making it happen! pic.twitter.com/IEvHyrEZid
This is a developing story.
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